The former Colorado Parks and Wildlife seasonal ranger who faked being stabbed was sentenced to probation Monday morning.

Jefferson County District Judge Diego Hunt sentenced 26-year-old Callum Heskett to three years of probation and at least $16,700 in restitution for the stabbing hoax that shocked the county in August, according to a news release from the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

The incident occurred Aug. 19 when Heskett radioed for help at the park near the Lazy V Trailhead around 9:30 a.m. He claimed he had been stabbed and the suspect fled the scene on foot.

Jeffcom 911 issued a Lookout Alert to 8,600 residents in the immediate area, warning of the potential danger, and several schools and nearby residents were asked to remain locked down for safety, according to the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.

A search for the suspect went on for “several” hours, according to police. The Jefferson County SWAT and drone teams also assisted in the search, ultimately bringing in two suspects who were detained, interviewed and released.

Heskett was airlifted out of the park with an actual stab wound around 1.5 inches deep and was later arrested on Aug. 21.

Investigations found that Heskett had searched “abdominal anatomy” on his phone prior to the hoax. He also searched “arteries in abdomen map,” how deep are arteries in lower abdomen,” and “$1 mil for each time you get stabbed.”

There were also inconsistencies in his story, according to court documents. Heskett claimed to have been hit in the head, but did not have any head injuries. He also claimed to have fallen to the ground in a fight with the assailant, but had no dirt on him.

Heskett eventually pleaded guilty to attempt to influence a public servant, in which he received a deferred sentence, and false reporting of an emergency, in which he was sentenced Monday.

Five other charges were dropped in the plea deal.

Deputy District Attorney Michael Rex told the judge that “innocent third parties were inconvenienced and investigated as possible assailants,” calling the conduct “utterly incompatible with the responsibility, trust and duty charged of a law enforcement officer.”

Along with the sentence, the conviction will ban Heskett from being able to receive another Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification, keeping him from working as a peace officer.

Heskett also served as an officer with the Lafayette Police Department from Oct. 2, 2023 to July 2, 2024.

Heskett’s defense said he “has no aspirations to return to law enforcement,” and that Heskett “is very regretful,” according to the release.

The Denver Gazette’s news partner, 9NEWS, contributed to this report